THURSDAY COLUMN BY SAFIYA ADAMU
yandokye@gmail.com
On the morning of Wednesday 16th June 2021 reports came in from different media houses on the attack that happened in Plateau State, one of the states in the North central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It was about the killing of 14 persons by unknown gunmen. What is interesting about the report’s headlines was not the crux of the message or how each media house chose to report it. It is the headlines; TVC headline read, “unknown gunmen kill 14 people in Plateau”, Tribune newspaper read the same, But Channels television the ‘forever’ award-winning station? Agreeably one of the most popular television stations and “first choice “ for many had on its news bar ‘suspected herdsmen” kill 14 persons. That sucked!
Some may wish to dismiss it as nothing, others may decide to look the other way because they do not want to be labeled, maybe? Whatever the kaleidoscope of feelings or interpretations I would say this is typical ethnic profiling. So for Channels the forever award –winning television of the year it is ok to profile a people, it is fine to come to conclusion on a sensitive matters such as these knowing fully well that these are some of the issues threatening to set the nation ablaze. Some may say or ask why pick on Channels television station? It is a sad development for a station that wants to be seen as emulating best practice. Are you losing it?
The media has enormous powers and constitute a powerful tool in nation building. You want to divide the people reach for the megaphone; you want to unite a people reach for the megaphone. The media has the responsibility to douse whatever fire is threatening the polity. It is the responsibility of the media to direct the narrative towards some kind of positivity because we are better together and collectively safer.
I believe that every narrative about a people, an event or a situation can and is influenced by the media and it usually remains one of the most powerful sources of reference for social discuss. This is why it is absolutely important for the media to do a thorough evaluation of itself because it is supposedly the conscious of the people. It is the fourth realm and its responsibility is enormous. So when media houses and broadcast stations begin to immerse themselves as part of the problem instead of the other way then we have very, very, serious issues in our hands.
We need to draw the line; no when to stop and no when to go. Right now we are at cross roads of sorts and if we cannot help the situation then we must not fan the embers. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and the herdsmen are as much a people as the rest of us. There are gunmen of other ethnic extractions who have been arrested on same charges but we do not see such blinding headlines. It is the duty of the media to call out persons who have crossed the lines and help the citizens demand for accountability. So when the media descends to an all time low such as ethnic profiling then believe me we have a problem, we have crossed the threshold and are heading for the precipice.
They seem to enjoy orchestrating such matters, whip up sentiments we could all do without while expecting rationale and logic from the rest of us. A paradox, isn’t? We abdicate; magnify non-existent or imagined issues and situations for our self-glorification, gratification or whatever then expect reason to prevail.
Blood letting at whatever level is unacceptable and must be avoided like the plague. It is detrimental to our collective well being, it is inimical to our growth or development as a people, as a society. We do not have to like each other or be in love with each other, but to like and love this country is onus on us. Of course I’m a staunch believer of a people’s right to self-determination, I support that, however what I find repulsive is that cry for a people’s blood. For me those who want to go may please do so through peaceful means. They can deploy strategies that allow for dialogue and negotiations. Trying to destabilize the polity by engaging in violence is totally unacceptable and we must all condemn such. But condemnation and refusing to accept such criminal acts become ineffectual when the media is found wanting. Yes we all agree that news is simply news but when that news is detrimental to the society it is better to play it safe and let go. Headlines are emphatic in nature; they are like neon lights or floodlights, they shout for notice so that they require capacity in intellect to couch. Headlines can create deep lasting wounds that cannot be wished away with a flick of arm. Worst still the impressions they leave long after run deep and scaring.
We need to learn to exercise caution while reporting; we need to set our minds on building rather than destroying. Look at South Sudan years after her independence the war Lords are yet to lay down their arms completely. At the slightest of ‘provocation” factions draw out arms. Peace still eludes them even as they seat on large quantities of oil. You don’t want to go there, really I do not want to go there neither do I want Nigeria to go to pieces. But if the choice must be made I would say let those who want out of Nigeria go. But remember by ethnic profiling you are endangering millions of Nigerians and I’m sure I’m not the only one who takes exception to this. Channels Television acted irresponsibly Wednesday morning and that is rather sad.
